Semănătorul (The Sower)
The Journal of Ministry and Biblical Research
Emanuel University of Oradea, Romania
Volume 1, Number 2.
Articles published by the Faculty of Theology in Emanuel
University of Oradea, and International Contributors,
March 2020.
“Does God Ever Feel Sorry?”
Understanding Verbs of Divine Emotion in the Pentateuch and the Targumic Versions of Onkelos, Neofiti and Pseudo-Jonathan.
Aurelian Botica
ABSTRACT
In the present study we will direct our attention to the particular instances in which God appears as the subject of the verb ~xn in the Pentateuch, where the context describes the reaction of “regretting” or “repenting” over a previous decision. In addition, in order to find out whether the Aramaic translators were consistent when trying to avoid anthropomorphisms, we will look at several of the occurrences of the verb in situations where it appears with a human, not a divine subject. This comparative approach will allow us to locate the different dimensions of the semantic field in which a given verb functions. Hopefully the wider the picture of this field, the better the chances are that we will understand the motivations and beliefs that informed the particular choices the translators made.
KEY WORDS: Targums, Anthropomorphism, God, Repentance, Old Testament
John 2:13-22. Jesus’ Public Revelation of Himself in the Temple.
Hamilton Moore
ABSTRACT
John’s account of the cleansing of the temple is significantly longer, more detailed, and more theological in nature than that recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. John was not just concerned about relating historical detail, but selected each event to emphasize the significance of the actions or statements of Jesus. This is also true of the cleansing of the temple in the theological truths it reveals about the person and work of Jesus. After a brief summary of what is considered to be the main purpose for the writing of the Gospel of John, the early setting of the event of cleansing is discussed. The significance of Jesus’ public revelation of himself is highlighted. John is pointing to the fact that, as the place where men go in order to meet God, the temple has been supplanted and replaced by Jesus himself as the word become flesh (1:14) and by his one sacrifice “for all time” (Hebrews 10:12) in whose resurrected person people may now encounter God (cf. 1:18, 14:6).
KEY WORDS: Purpose of John’s Gospel; temple; fulfillment; worship; death of Jesus.
The Concept of Rest in Hebrews 4: eschatological and soteriological aspects
Ovidiu Hanc
ABSTRACT
In this article we will analyze the concept of rest as it appears in the Old and New Testaments. The understanding of the concept of rest in Hebrews 4 is based sine qua non on the Old Testament concept of rest. We will also look at how the concept is presented in the Gospels in relation to the person and work of Jesus and the theological nuances that are present in Hebrew 4.
KEY WORDS: rest, Sabbath, work, Christology, throne of grace.
Was Amos among the prophets? Amos 7:14: A prophet in spite of himself
Dr. Corin Mihăilă
ABSTRACT
Scholars have long debated whether the prophets considered themselves as such or were so designated by later generations. Amos is among the literary and oral prophets of the Old Testament who seems to even reject and deny such designation in Amos 7:10-17 although he admits to prophesying. A close look at Amos 3:1-8 in conjunction with 7:10-17 will show that Amos was indeed a prophet, though a prophet in spite of himself. What he rejects is not his authority as a prophet, but his initiative in becoming a prophet as well as any connection with a prophetic guild. As such, Amos is numbered among many of the men called by God who have reluctantly accepted the call.
KEYWORDS: Amos, prophet ( נָבִי֣א ), seer ( חֹזהֶ ), son of a prophet ( בֶן־נבָיִ֖א ), Amos 3:1-8, Amos 7:10-17.
“Man of Sorrows”: A Christian Reading of Isaiah’s Servant Songs
S. D. Ellison
ABSTRACT
The quest to identify Isaiah’s servant as presented in the so-called ‘Servant Songs’ has long plagued students of Isaiah. By outlining the prevailing interpretations and noting the use of the so-called ‘Servant Songs’ in the NT the present article offers a possible resolution to the quest. A Christian canonical reading of Isaiah’s ‘Servant Songs’ provides a compelling case for identifying Isaiah’s servant as Jesus Christ.
KEYWORDS: Isaiah; Servant Songs; Messiah; New Testament use of the Old Testament
The Wise Women in the Books of Samuel – a critical and theological analysis of 1Sam 25 and 2Sam 14 –
István Borzási
ABSTRACT
The intention of this work is to investigate the role of two women characters in the Books of Samuel, called wise women, to see how they influenced the life of Israel and its king. Understanding their life and character will contribute to the interpretation of the Books of Samuel: we will find out how these women affected the course of the history of Israel, the political acceptance of David as king, and the morality of the time.
KEY WORDS: Kingship, parable, providence, women, covenant.
“Live Coals Separated, Soon Die”: The Early Baptist Vision of the Church & Associations
Michael A.G. Haykin
ABSTRACT
From the very beginning of Baptist witness in the seventeenth century, both in England and New England, Baptists gave a lot of thought to the nature of the Church. In some ways, what is distinctive about being a Baptist is having a particular way of doing church. They were not alone in such a focus. Numerous Christians in the British Isles during the seventeenth century—usually denominated “Puritans”—were also deeply concerned to discover from the Scriptures what constituted the true form of church life and government. The Anglican and Presbyterian understandings of the church held the view that that it comprised all living within a certain geographical boundary, the “parish church.” On the other hand Baptists argued for a completely different church
model. In the twenty-first century not many seem deeply concerned about these matters but how the church is ordered is basic as far as its witness or effectiveness is concerned.
KEY WORDS: Episcopacy, congregationalism, Presbyterianism, local church, Baptists.
Apprenticed to Christ: Reshaping Disciple-Making around Christ’s Commission
Paul Coulter
ABSTRACT
Discipleship is widely recognised as a pressing need in evangelical churches, but models of disciple-making are many and varied, revealing little agreement about what discipleship is and how disciples are made. If our aim is biblical faithfulness, we must develop a clear biblical understanding of these subjects. Disciples are apprentices learning from the master’s words and example, and Christians are called to be apprentices of Christ. The so-called Great Commission of Matthew 28:18-20 expands Jesus’ mission within Israel to all nations and bridges between Jesus’ call to discipleship by following him prior to his death and the mission of the Church after his departure. It describes two activities within disciple-making: baptism in the triune name into the community of disciples and teaching, through words and example, of obedience to Jesus’ commands. Underpinning these activities are two assurances: Jesus’ universal authority and his constant presence. When evaluated against these principles, two major deficiencies are identified in contemporary disciple-making models: a focus on one-to-one relationships, which, in the New Testament, are more typical of leadership development, and curricula that may emphasise accumulation of knowledge over transformed lives. In the Great Commission, Jesus calls his people to a mission of disciple-making that transcends all barriers and extends throughout time until the end of the age.
KEY WORDS: Discipleship; Disciples; Disciple-making; Great Commission; Miss